6. AN INTERPRETER HAD TO BE PRESENT.
1Co 14:27c and one must interpret;
1Co 14:28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
Not only must tongues be earthly languages, but they also must be interpreted for the benefit of all.
7. SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS TO BE CONTROLLED.
1Co 14:32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
The Holy Spirit never takes anyone out of control. Not only were the prophets to judge others with discernment, but they were also to have control over themselves. God does not desire out-of-spirit or out-of-mind experiences. Those who received and proclaimed the truth were to have clear minds. There was nothing bizarre, ecstatic, trance-like, or wild about receiving and preaching God’s Word, as with demonic experiences.
8. ANY CONFUSION OR DISORDER IN THE ASSEMBLY WAS AN INDICATION OF SOMETHING THAT DID NOT ORIGINATE FROM GOD.
1Co 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
confusion. Here is the key to the whole chapter. The church at worship before God should reflect His character and nature because He is a God of peace and harmony, order and clarity, not strife and confusion (cf. Rom. 15:33; 2 Thess. 3:16; Heb. 13:20). as in all the churches. This phrase does not belong in v. 33, but at the beginning of v. 34, as a logical introduction to a universal principle for churches.
9. TONGUES WERE FOR MEN ONLY.
1Co 14:34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
The context of 1 Corinthians 14 is tongues; and, since a verse cannot be interpreted apart from its context, we come to the conclusion that the speaking in verse 34 refers to speaking in tongues. Women are not allowed to do it. The principle of women not speaking in church services is universal; this applies to all the churches, not just locally, geographically, or culturally. The context in this verse concerns prophecy, but includes the general theme of the chapter, i.e., tongues. Rather than leading, they are to be submissive as God’s Word makes clear (Gen 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:11–15). It is not coincidental that many modern churches that have tongues-speaking and claim gifts of healings and miracles also permit women to lead worship, preach, and teach. Women may be gifted teachers, but they are not permitted by God “to speak” in churches. In fact, for them to do so is “shameful,” meaning “disgraceful.” Apparently, certain women were out of order in disruptively asking questions publicly in the chaotic services.
10. TO RECOGNIZE THESE REGULATIONS AS THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD WAS IMPERATIVE.
1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.
Paul knew that the Corinthians would react to all these firm regulations that would end the free-for-all in their services. The prophets, tongues-speakers, and women may all have been resistant to words, so he anticipated that resistance by sarcastically challenging those who put themselves above his word, and thus, above Scripture by either ignoring it or interpreting it to fit their predisposed ideas. If anyone was genuinely a prophet or had the true spiritual gift of tongues, he or she would submit to the principles God had revealed through the apostle.
11. THOUGH NOT FORBIDDING TONGUES IN THE APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY, THE PREDOMINANT COMMAND WAS “COVET TO PROPHESY”
1Co 14:39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
Legitimate languages were limited in purpose and in duration, but as long as it was still active in the early church, it was not to be hindered. But prophecy was the most desirable gift to be exercised because of its ability to edify, exhort, and comfort with the truth (v. 3).
12. LET EVERYTHING BE DONE DECENTLY AND IN ORDER.
1Co 14:40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner
TO CLARIFY TONGUES OF ANGELS
1Co 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
Paul’s basic point in 13:1, however, is to convey the idea of being able to speak all sorts of languages with great fluency and eloquence, far above the greatest linguist or orator. That the apostle is speaking in general and hypothetical terms is clear from the expression tongues … of angels. There is no biblical teaching of a unique or special angelic language or dialect. In the countless records of their speaking to men in Scripture, they always speak in the language of the person being addressed. There is no indication that they have a heavenly language of their own that men could learn. Paul simply is saying that, were he to have the ability to speak with the skill and eloquence of the greatest men, even with angelic eloquence, he would only become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal if he did not have love. The greatest truths spoken in the greatest way fall short if they are not spoken in love. Apart from love, even one who speaks the truth with supernatural eloquence becomes so much noise.
The gift of language is especially meaningless without love. Paul chooses this as his illustration of lovelessness because it was a sought–after experience that made the people proud. One of the results of the Corinthians’ trying to use that gift in their own power and for their own selfish and proud ends was that it could not be ministered in love. Because they did not walk in the Spirit, they did not have the fruit of the Spirit and could not properly minister the gifts of the Spirit. Because the most important fruit was missing from what they thought was the most important gift, their exercising the gift became nothing more than babble.
In New Testament times, rites honoring the pagan deities Cybele, Bacchus, and Dionysus included speaking in ecstatic noises that were accompanied by smashing gongs, clanging cymbals, and blaring trumpets. Paul’s hearers clearly got his point: unless it is done in love, ministering the gift of languages, or speaking in any other human or angelic way, amounts to no more than those pagan rituals. It is only meaningless gibberish in a Christian guise.
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